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Visa document process

You will require the following documents so that you can get a visa to teach in Korea:
  • An apostilled copy of your bachelors degree
  • An apostilled original basic disclosure form
  • A copy of your passport information page
  • 4 - 6 passport photos
  • A signed copy of your contract with you employer
  • A completed and signed self assessed health statement  

Before you apply

1. Get a basic disclosure. Apply here to get your basic disclosure form. The page that this link takes you to is very self explanatory. This will cost £25 plus your postage and can take up to 14 working days.

2. Contact a notary, this is a particular type of lawyer that deals with documents. Before you can get an apostile you must get your documents notorised. A notary will be able to notorise your degree and basic disclosure form. You will be able to find a local one by searching google. 

3. Provide the notary with a letter of authority stating that you give your permission for the notary to be given any relavent information about your degree from your university. See an example here. They may need a few days to do this so best do it as soon as you've applied for your basic disclosure.

4. Get your documents notarised. When your basic disclosure arrives contact your notary and take your passport, your driving licence, a letter or bill sent to your home address, a copy of your degree certificate and your original disclosure. They will provide you with a notary stamp. This will cost approximately £120, bu tof course this depends on the notary you use.

5. Get your documents apostilled, only use the official government website. You can find the application page here. It will cost £30 per document plus postage.  

After signing a contract

1. Send your documents to Korea. Either the recruiter or the school will send you the schools address. This will cost between £30 and £50 as most schools will want the documents within a few days.

2. Get your visa number. The school will apply for you visa number using your documents. This can take up to 14 working days but is sometimes quicker. The school will pay for this.

3. Get your visa. With this visa number send your documents to the Korean Consulate, the guide from their site can be found here and the application form is available here. It will take the consulate 5 working days to process and the postage will take one working day either side (I recommend recorded next day delivery) , the visa will cost £80 plus your postage.

Once you arrive in Korea

1. Get a health check. You will be required to go for a medical health check. This is part of the condition of you being allowed to work in Korea. Don't let your employer tell you otherwise. Your school should organise this for you. This will cost about 70,000 won which is about £40. Some schools will reimburse this. 
2. Go to immigration. Your school should organise this for you. You will have to give them your finger prints.
3. Receive you Alien Registration Card. This usually takes about 2 weeks but can take up to four. This will allow you to get a mobile phone and for you health insurance to begin.  
4. You're done! Congratulations! It wasn't that painful, right?

How much will it cost?

There is will vary depending on how much you pay for notarisation and how quickly you need your visa.
Basic Disclosure
Notorisation 
Apostile
Post to Korea
Visa
Health Check
Additional Postage

Total Cost
£25
£120
£60
£50
£80
£40
£35

£410

  1. Home
  2. Before you apply
  3. Is ESL for me?
  4. Visa Documents
  5. Public School v Private Schools
  6. How to get the right job
  7. Writing a CV for Korea
  8. Apply
  9. Recruiters
  10. Interview tips
  11. Negotiate you contract
  12. Life in Korea
  13. Food
  14. Shopping
  15. Cost of living 
  16. How to save money
  17. Getting a Cell Phone
  18. Pension Korea
  19. Blog 
  20. About
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Honest, Independent, Experienced Advice

Site updated 10/06/2013
paul@teachinkorea.org